[Ord. #02-06, Preamble]
The Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq. was
enacted for the purpose of establishing a system for the enforcement
of minimum fire safety standards throughout the State of New Jersey.
The Uniform Fire Safety Act authorizes municipalities to provide for
local enforcement and to establish local enforcing agencies for that
purpose. The Borough Department of Fire Prevention and Protection
has agreed to the plan, which is set forth herein, for the administration
and enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Code.
[Ord. #02-06, S 1]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act,
the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the
Borough of North Plainfield by the Local Enforcing Agency.
[Ord. #02-06, S 2]
As set forth herein, the Local Enforcing Agency of the Borough
as to the Uniform Fire Safety Act shall be the Division of Fire Prevention,
a unit of the Department of Fire Prevention and Protection.
[Ord. #02-06, S 3]
The Division of Fire Prevention shall enforce the Uniform Fire
Safety Act and the codes, regulations and amendments adopted under
it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established
geographical boundaries of the Borough of North Plainfield, other
than owner-occupied one and two family dwellings and shall faithfully
comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the
New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
[Ord. #02-06, S 4]
The Division of Fire Prevention, as the Borough's Local Enforcing Agency under subsection 19-2.2 above, shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
[Ord. #05-20; Ord. #07-07, S 7; Ord. No.
2016-16]
The Division of Fire Prevention, as the Borough's Local
Enforcing Agency, shall collect a fee of $50 per year for all businesses
within the Borough that are not registered as life hazard uses, except
those businesses that are already registered as a multiple family
dwelling and pay the associated fee shall not pay this specific fee
as well.
[Ord. #02-06, S 5; Ord. #07-07, S 8]
a.
Appointment of Fire Official. The local enforcing agency shall be
under the direct supervision of a Fire Official, who shall be appointed
by the Director of the Department of Fire Prevention and Protection,
with the approval of the Mayor.
b.
Inspectors and Employees.
1.
As determined by the Director of the Department of Fire Prevention
and Protection, the Fire Official shall be assisted in the enforcement
of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code by members of the Department including,
but not limited to, the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief, Captains,
Lieutenants and/or firefighters.
c.
Removal from Office. Inspectors and other employees of the Local
Enforcing Agency shall be subject to removal in accordance with law.
[Ord. #02-06, S 6]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and N.J.S.A. 52:27D-208 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any order of the Local Enforcing Agency as defined in subsection 19-2.2 herein, shall have the right to appeal such order to the Somerset County Construction Board of Appeals.
[Ord. #02-06, S 7; Ord. #05-20; Ord. #07-07, S 9; Ord. No. 2016-17]
The permit fees established by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code,
as may be amended and supplemented from time to time, are adopted
except as hereinafter specifically amended.
a.
Multiple Family Dwellings. In addition to any other requirements
of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, a permit shall be required for
each property on which any R-2 building is located.
b.
Multiple Family Permit Fee. The annual permit fee for multiple family
dwellings shall be computed on the total number of dwelling units
within a development on a tract of land, as follows:
|
1. 3-25 units:
[Ord. No. 2016-17] |
Twenty-five ($25.00) dollar Common Area Inspection fee plus
$10 per unit.
|
|
2. 26 units and over:
[Ord. No. 2016-17] |
$30 per building.
|
|
3. Four or more stories in height
[Ord. No. 2016-17] |
$25 per story plus $50 for the common area inspection.
|
c.
Flammable Liquids. In addition to any other requirements of the New
Jersey Uniform Fire Code, a permit shall be obtained from the Fire
Official in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2 for any storage, handling
or use of Class 1 flammable liquids within dwelling units or basements
in an institutional or residential occupancy, except that a permit
shall not be required for owner-occupied detached Use Group R-3 structure
used exclusively for dwelling purposes.
d.
The following users shall be exempt from the local permit and registration
fees. However, the same users shall be required to properly apply
for such permits and registrations and comply with all other code
requirements. These users are as follows:
1.
Volunteer and/or exempt fire companies/ organizations;
2.
Volunteer ambulance squad(s);
3.
Nonprofit civic groups which qualify as 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization,
when the application is for use of an occasional nature;
4.
Churches, and/or other organized religious institutions/organizations.
This shall only apply to uses where the actual religious service takes
place and/or where the use is for religious education purposes related
directly to the religious institution (not for any other organization
even if using the religious organization's facilities);
5.
Borough of North Plainfield; and/or,
6.
North Plainfield Board of Education.
e.
The general permit fee for other permits not listed above shall be
$50.
[Ord. #02-06, S 8]
A diagram showing the property designated as a fire lane by
the Fire Official pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall
be forwarded to the Borough Clerk, who shall retain said diagrams
in the official files of the Borough.
[Ord. #04-01]
When a building within the Borough is protected by an automatic fire alarm system and access to that building may be delayed due to secured openings, and where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or firefighting purposes, the Fire Official shall require a rapid access key box to be installed at the building at such location as set forth in subsection 19-6.3 herein, or as shall be directed by the Fire Official. The key box shall be a high security box of a UL listed type and size as approved by the Fire Official.
[Ord. #04-01]
When a building within the Borough is protected in whole or part, by an automatic fire suppression system or standpipe system, it shall be equipped with a rapid access key box installed at the building at such a location as set forth in subsection 19-6.3 herein, or as shall be directed by the Fire Official. The key box shall be a high security box of a UL listed type and size as approved by the Fire Official.
[Ord. #04-01]
The rapid access key box shall be located:
a.
At or near the recognized public entrance, adjacent to the fire annunciator
panel, on the exterior of the building, above the Fire Department
connection or as directed by the Fire Official; and,
b.
The key box shall be located at a height of no less than four (4')
feet and no more than six (6') feet above grade.
[Ord. #04-01]
The Fire Official may, to provide security for a key box, require
that a rapid access key box tamper switch be connected to a building
automatic fire alarm or suppression system if the building is so equipped.
The key box tamper switch shall be of a UL listed type and be of such
size as approved by the Fire Official.
[Ord. #04-01]
When a building is protected by a locked fence or gate and where
immediate access to the building is necessary for life saving or firefighting
purposes, the Fire Official may require a security padlock to be installed
at a location approved by the Fire Official. The padlock shall be
of a UL listed type and be of such size as approved by the Fire Official.
[Ord. #04-01]
The term "building" as used herein, shall mean any building
or structure located within the Borough, whether privately or publicly
owned, including, but not limited, to, any building owned by the Borough,
the Board of Education or any other public, quasi-public or private
entity or person(s). However, this Chapter shall not apply to owner-occupied
one- and two-family dwellings.
[Ord. #04-01]
The rapid access key box shall contain the following:
a.
Keys to locked points of ingress and egress, whether interior or
exterior of building;
b.
Keys to locked mechanical rooms, if applicable;
c.
Keys to locked elevator rooms or controls, if applicable;
d.
Keys to fenced or secured areas, if applicable;
e.
Keys to any other areas that may be required by the Fire Subcode
or Fire Official; and,
f.
A card containing operating codes and instructions for the building's
fire alarm systems and emergency contact information, including, but
not limited to, current, up-to-date phone numbers.
[Ord. #04-01]
As used herein, "master key" shall mean the instrument used
to gain access to the rapid access key boxes to be utilized as a result
of the provisions of this Chapter. The Fire Department shall establish
a system of procedures designed to limit access to any master key(s)
to authorized Fire Department personnel in times of emergency. The
Fire Department shall, to the extent feasible and practical, use the
latest technological advances to preserve and enhance the security
of the master key(s).
[Ord. #04-01]
a.
Record Keeping. The Fire Official shall record all pertinent data
regarding a building protected by a rapid access key box to the extent
deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this Chapter. It shall
be the responsibility of the Fire Official to maintain such records
for the Fire Department and to maintain the confidentiality of the
information.
b.
Registration Fee. There shall be a thirty ($30.00) dollar registration
fee when the rapid entry key box is initially installed. This fee
will help to cover the expense of administering the rapid entry key
box program.
c.
The Fire Department shall be in exclusive control of the rapid access
key box system authorization and control.
d.
Each rapid access key box system shall utilized the approved signature(s)
from the Fire Department for the release of all keys for the boxes
and lock products from the manufacturer.
e.
Notification. If a lock is changed by any building with a rapid access
key box system, the Fire Official shall be notified immediately.
f.
Enforceability. The Fire Department shall enforce the provisions
of this Chapter.
[Ord. #04-01]
All existing buildings shall comply with this Section within six months from the effective date of the Ordinance revising, amending and supplementing Chapter 19 of the Borough Code of the Borough, entitled "Fire Prevention", to provide for rapid entry into buildings for the Fire Department during times of emergency. All newly constructed buildings not yet occupied or currently under construction, and all building for which an application for a certificate of occupancy is made, shall comply with this Chapter immediately.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 04-01, codified herein,
was adopted January 26, 2004 and became effective February 15, 2004.
[Ord. #04-01]
a.
Any individual, firm or other entity that fails to comply with this
Chapter shall be issued a summons and shall, upon conviction in municipal
court, be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
b.
The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent
the enforced correction of any identified requirement of the Fire
Code.
